E-prescription system is criticized by pharmacy staff for its flaws
In the heart of Germany's digital healthcare revolution, the e-prescription system, designed to streamline prescription processes and reduce trips to the doctor's office, is currently facing a series of challenges. The system, mandatory for prescription medications since January 2024, has been plagued by frequent technical disruptions, system instability, and reliability problems.
Pharmacies across the country have reported instances of complete outages or significant interruptions, affecting tens of thousands of patients. For example, in the past two weeks alone, there were five full days of outages that disrupted the system's operation[1]. Similar disruptions were reported in July and August 2025, caused by failures in the telematics infrastructure and issues at key service providers like Medisign[2][3].
These problems have raised concerns among authorities and stakeholders. The Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists (ABDA) and pharmacy representatives have urged Gematik, the federal digital agency managing the system, to urgently improve the system's stability and reliability[1][2]. Gematik has acknowledged that many outages stem from problems with external service providers and is working to resolve these issues quickly[2][3].
Thomas Preis, head of the German pharmacists’ association, has likened the e-prescription system's unreliability to that of Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway, stating that it is unacceptable in the current state[4]. He also emphasized the need for more operational flexibility during outages to supply medications without bureaucracy[1].
To address these concerns, authorities are advocating greater pharmacy flexibility during outages, and pushing for healthcare IT modernization reforms. They are also focusing on improving communication and maintenance, with more coordinated maintenance scheduling and rapid fault resolution being emphasized to reduce unplanned downtime[3].
Broad healthcare reforms like the 2025 Hospital Reform and digital modernization mandates encourage the upgrade of IT infrastructure in healthcare institutions, which supports the long-term stability and resilience of e-health systems, including e-prescriptions[5].
Gematik, in its commitment to stable and secure operation, is continuously working to improve the reliability and stability of the e-prescription system[6]. However, it's crucial to ensure that the digital revolution in healthcare doesn't come at the cost of service reliability.
Patients can still opt for a paper printout of their prescriptions, but the goal of the e-prescription system is to eliminate manual signatures and trips, making healthcare more convenient for all[7]. As the system evolves, it's hoped that the current challenges will be addressed, ensuring that the e-prescription system delivers on its promise of a more efficient and accessible healthcare system for everyone.
[1] The Local [2] Deutsche Welle [3] Reuters [4] BBC News [5] German Federal Ministry of Health [6] Gematik [7] German Foundation for Patient Protection
- The e-prescription system, intended to revolutionize healthcare in Germany, is experiencing troubles due to technical disruptions and instability, leading to worries about medical-conditions management and health-and-wellness.
- Despite the challenges faced by the e-prescription system, a digital modernization movement in the medical field is underway, aiming to improve technology infrastructure and enhance the overall general-news landscape of healthcare.
- As the e-prescription system continues to evolve, it will likely rely on science and advancements in technology to address its current issues and ensure a more streamlined and efficient process for all involved in health-and-wellness.
